Well pipe hanger

ABSTRACT

A well pipe hanger operated solely by reciprocation for selectively setting or releasing the hanger wherein the casingengaging wedge slips are supported on a slidable assembly having frictional engagement with the casing with the wedge slips normally in an inoperative position for running the well pipe into the well and the wedge slips are urged outwardly to an operative position by an actuating ring upon substantial upward movement of the hanger whereby downward movement of the hanger then causes the wedge slips to engage and be expanded by a frustoconical surface into casing-engaging relationship for hanging the well pipe. Subsequent upward movement of the hanger releases the wedge slips from casing engagement and returns the wedge slips to their inoperative position for any additional desired downward travel of the well pipe.

I United States Patent on 3,608,632

[72] Inventor James R. Solum 2,884,069 4/ 1959 Brown 166/138 Huntington Beach, Calif- 3,331,440 7/1967 Cochran 166/138 P Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink [22] Filed Nov. 21, 1969 A" L & L 451 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 1 I [73] Assignee B I: W Incorporated Torrance, C1111. .7 .7. V. a WWW ini.

ABSTRACT: A well pipe hanger operated solely by reciproca- [5] WELL "PE HANGER tion for selectively settingor releasing the hanger wherein the 17 cmgmawhlm casing-engaging wedge slips are supported on ashdable assembly having frictional engagement wlth the casing with the 166/124 wedge slips normally in an inoperative position for running the 166/138 l66/208 well pipe into the well and the wedge slips are urged outwardly ,Ezlb 23/00" to an operative position by an actuating ring upon substantial 43/10 upward movement of the hanger whereby downward move- Search u men of me hanger then causes the wedge slips to gngage and 123, 125, 216, 208, 124 be expanded by a frustoconical surface into casing-engaging relationship for hanging the well pipe. Subsequent upward [56] References Cited movement of the hanger releases the wedge slips from casing UNITED STATES PATENTS engagement and returns the wedge slips to their inoperative 1,506,881 9/ 1924 Broberg 166/208 position for any additional desired downward travel of the well 2,765,853 10/1956 Brown 166/13 8 pipe. 7

PATENTEI] SEP28 um SHEEI 2 OF 2 INVENTOR 1/1/1465 2. saw/w WELL PIPE HANGER This invention relates to liner and other well pipe hangers and in particular is directed to a hanger capable of selective setting and releasing solely by reciprocation with such operation unafiected by the angle of inclination of the well. Further this invention relates to a well pipe hanger of extremely small radial dimensions whereby it may be used in well casings of inside diameters only slightly greater than the outside diameter of the well pipe within otherwise practical limits.

There are a great variety of conventional liner and well pipe hangers used in oil, water and gas wells for supporting one well pipe within another well pipe, the latter of which is usually a casing cemented in the well. The constructions and methods of operation of the great variety of conventional well pipe hangers have taken many forms. Many conventional well pipe hangers require left-hand rotation of the running string in order to actually set the hanger or at least manipulate some component for enabling subsequent setting of the hanger. The disadvantages of left-hand rotation of a well pipe string are well known in the industry as for example the possibility of V unthreading the running string at any joint therealong.

Other conventional well pipe hangers employ arrangements requiring careful manipulation through a combination of movements of the running string such as reciprocating and rotating in a predetermined manner to appropriately manipulate the actuating components of the hanger. However it is well known that the reciprocation and rotation at the surface of the well often is not precisely duplicated at the extreme depth where the hanger is located whereby precise manipulation is extremely difficult. Moreover such reciprocation and rotation might be inadvertently caused during the normal running of the well pipe to the desired depth thereby inadvertently setting the hanger and requiring further manipulation, if such is even possible, to release the hanger for continued running of the well pipe.

The difficulties in successfully operating prior conventional liner hangers requiring left-hand rotation or precise manipulation are compounded when such changers are used in wells drilled at substantial angles from the vertical as is extremely common in offshore oil wells. It is not uncommon for such directional wells to be over 45 from the vertical and as such gravity cannot be relied upon for causing any portion of the actuating movement of the liner hanger. Moreover in such high angled wells the running string is substantially curved when the liner hanger reaches the desired location and delicate manipulation of the liner hanger through such a curved running string is virtually impossible.

While there have been a few conventional liner or well pipe hangers adapted to be operated solely by reciprocation of the hanger in a predetermined manner such as that shown in applicant's US. Pat. No. 3,012,612, Slip Actuating Mechanism, such prior devices were rather complex and required a substantial annular space and/or length accommodate all of the components of the hanger. In other words in many such prior hangers the thickness of the actuating elements required more annular space than is available in the combinations of well pipe and easing that are now commonly being run as for exam ple 6% inch liner inside and 8% inch casing, the latter of which might have an inside diameter of approximately 7% inches whereby the annular space available is one-half inch or less.

In summary it is a principal object of this invention to provide a well pipe hanger operable solely by reciprocation in a predetermined manner to selectively set and release the hanger wherein the operative elements for causing setting and releasing function positively and effectively without regard for the vertical or horizontal orientation of the hanger.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel form of well pipe hanger operable by reciprocation wherein the functional components may be relatively thin in a radial direction whereby a minimum annular space between the well pipe and the encircling casing is required to accommodate such components.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of well pipe hanger in combination with a packer, both of which are operated solely by reciprocation in a predetermined manner to both set the hanger and expand the packer for accomplishing both objectives in a single round trip of the running string.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel form of well pipe hanger wherein the casing-engaging wedge slips are fixedly but resiliently extended from an operating assembly mounted for reciprocal movement on the body of the hanger with the wedge slips normally latched in an inoperative position but appropriately expanded to an operative position upon predetermined reciprocation whereby the slips may be expanded to a casing-engaging position by a tapered surface.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of well pipe hanger wherein the wedge slips are normally resiliently urged inwardly to an inoperative condition and may be selectively expanded to an operative condition by a movable actuating ring which is affirmatively moved between slip expanding and nonexpanding positions by appropriate reciprocation of the hanger whereby the hanger may be selectively set and released in numerable times under any condition.

Other objects and advantages of the well pipe hanger of this invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the liner hanger of this invention with the components illustrated in the normal condition for running the hanger and the well pipe into the well and also illustrating the hanger in combination with a packing element section.

FIG. 2 is a foreshortened elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 illustrating the relative positions of the functional components of the device after the hanger has been lifted a substantial amount in preparation for setting the hanger.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 after the hanger has been lowered several feet from the condition shown in FIG. 2 and with the casing-engaging wedge slips starting their outward movement toward casing engagement.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and illustrating the relative positions of the functional componen ts upon release of the wedge slips as might occur after inadvertently setting the hanger at the wrong location and specifically FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate condition as the hanger is beinglifted to release the wedge slips and a short distance before the wedge slips are returned to their inoperative condition as shown in FIG. 1 for further running of the well pipe.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the upper portion of the device of FIGS. 1-4 illustrating the wedge slips in expanded, casing-engaging condition and with the packing element expanded to sealing condition.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view with portions shown in section and illustrating the relationship between the actuating ring and the spring fingers for positively moving the ring.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the spring finger positioned on top of the actuating ring as occurs upon substantial upward movement of the hanger.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the wedge slip expanded onto the actuating ring into an operative position.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the wedge slips in an inoperative, latched condition as occurs during running the device into the well.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the well pipe hanger, generally designated 10, of this invention is illustrated in combination with an integral packer section generally designated 11, but it is to be understood that the hanger may be provided without the packer section and the functional components of the hanger and their operation remain the same. When a packer section is provided the hanger is normally being used to hang a liner-type well pipe in the producing zone of a well bore and as such, the device 10 is commonly known as a liner hanger. The lowermost threads 12 are adapted to be attached to the well pipe or liner and will be so attached when the hanger is actually run in a well. The liner hanger is suspended from a setting tool, generally designated 13 which in this instance is connected to the packer section 11 of the hanger but, as will readily appear to those skilled in the art, would be connected directly to the top of the hanger 10 if no packer section 11 were provided. The upper end 14 of the setting tool 13 will be connected to a conventional drill pipe string for running the hanger 10 and the well pipe connected therebelow into the well.

The liner hanger 10 includes a tubular mandrel 15 extending its entire length and normally will be of substantially the same size as the well pipe or liner to be hung therefrom although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there may be small differences in diameters and wall thicknesses. The tubular mandrel 15 has a cylindrical outer surface 16 of one diameter for the major portion of its length. A guide collar 17 is mounted near the lower end of the mandrel 15 and serves to maintain the mandrel somewhat concentric with the encircling casing as well as protecting the components of the hanger 10 thereabove. Near the upper end of the tubular mandrel 15 there is a tapered or frustoconical surface 18 extending in a direction upwardly and outwardly from the cylindrical surface 16. As shown in greater detail on FIG. 5, the frustoconical surface 18 may be provided on a separate sleeve member 19 mounted on the actual tubular mandrel 15 that extends the length of the hanger and, as will hereinafter appear more fully, this is particularly advantageous when the hanger is provided with a packing section 11 as illustrated. At the lowermost portion of the frustoconical section 18 is provided a short cylindrical ring 20 secured to the mandrel 15 and of a diameter larger than the major cylindrical surface 16 to act as a positive stop as hereafter described.

An operating assembly, generally designated 21, is slidably mounted on the cylindrical surface 16 of the hanger and includes a pair of axially spaced collars 22 and 23 slidably mounted on surface 16 with a plurality of outwardly bowed springs 24 extending longitudinally between and mounted on the collars 22 and 23 and forming a cage. The spring bows 24 are adapted to resiliently engage the encircling casing and produce sufficient frictional drag on the casing to cause relative movement between the operating assembly 21 and the hanger mandrel 15 when the mandrel is moved relatively to the encircling casing.

Extending longitudinally upwardly on the operating assembly 21 are a plurality of spring steel straps 25 for resiliently supporting a like plurality of wedge slips 26. In the embodiment shown in the drawings four such straps 25 and wedge slips 26 are illustrated but it is to be understood that more or fewer straps and slips may be employed as desired or required by changes in size. The straps 25 are fixedly connected to both the upper collar 22 and the associated wedge slip 26 by any convenient means such as welding and each strap 25 is formed in a manner to resiliently urge the wedge slips 26 inwardly against the cylindrical surface 16 of the mandrel 15. The straps 25 are of a sufficient length to allow resilient movement of the slips 26 between this position urged against the cylindrical surface 16 to the expanded casing-engaging position without permanent deformation to such straps 25.

The operating assembly 21 is also provided with spring steel fingers 27 mounted on the upper collar 22 and extending longitudinally upwardly. Any convenient number of fingers 27 may be employed and, as shown in the drawings, four such fingers 27 are provided and positioned circumferentially between the aforedescribed straps 25. As shown more fully in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spring fingers 27 are provided with an inwardly protruding portion 28 having both upper and lower tapered surfaces for purposes that will hereinafter become more apparent.

The operating assembly 21 also includes an actuating ring 30 slidably mounted on the cylindrical surface 16 of the mandrel 15 above upper collar 22 and positioned beneath the spring straps 25 and spring fingers 27. The actuating ring 30 is separate from and not fixedly connected to the collar 22 or straps 25 or fingers 27. As shown more fully in FIGS. 5-8, the actuating ring 30 includes a serrated outer surface 31 throughout most of its length and an upwardly facing abutment 32 near its lower end. The actuating ring 30 is provided with a multiplicity of holes 33 therethrough which have been found advantageous in preventing the ring from sticking to the cylindrical surface 16 particularly in adverse down hole conditions since the hanger is submerged in drilling mud or other fluids which do not enhance the free movement of the components. The actuating ring 30 is provided with an inwardly extending key or pin 34 positioned in a groove 35 provided in the surface 16 of mandrel 15. The groove 35 extends longitudinally a predetermined distance and has an upper terminus 36 and a lower terminus 37 for engaging pin 34 to limit the upward and downward travel, respectively, of the actuating ring 30. Of course the interengagement of pin 34 and groove 35 also prevents rotation of ring 30 relative to mandrel 15 but this is not essential to the operation of the device. In contrast the balance of the operating assembly 21 including collars 22 and 23, bows 24, straps 25, wedge slips 26 and spring fingers 27 is free to rotate as a unit relative to the mandrel 15 until such time as the hanger is actually set with the wedge slips 26 engaging the casing.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 9, a downwardly facing shoulder or groove 38 is provided on the ring 20 at the upper extremity of the cylindrical surface 16 and is adapted to be engaged by the nose portion 39 of each wedge slip 26. The groove 38 preferably has a reverse taper as illustrated whereby outward movement of the wedge slips 26 is greatly inhibited when the nose portion 39 of the wedge slips is in engagement with the groove. This interengagement is the normal position of the slips during the running-in of the well pipe and hanger, as shown in FIG. 1, and in this condition on the wedge slips are inoperative for hanging the well pipe.

In the use and operation of the well pipe hanger 10 of this invention, the well pipe or liner is connected to the thread 12 at the lower end of the hanger in conventional manner and the hanger and well pipe are then run into the well on a conventional pipe string connected to the upper end 14 of the setting tool 13. In the conventional running of well pipe, successive lengths of well pipe are threadedly connected end to end and successively lowered into the well bore and in this procedure it is conventional practice to lift the well pipe a short distance to release the pipe-supporting slips at the derrick floor before then lowering the well pipe the distance of the added length of pipe. It will be noted that during this small upward movement of the well pipe the frictional engagement of bow springs 24 on the encircling casing may cause the operating assembly 21 to remain stationary while the mandrel 15 is lifted whereby the groove 38 will move upwardly away from and out of engagement with the nose portion 39 of the wedge slips 26. However since the spring straps 25 continually urge the wedge slips 26 against the cylindrical surface 16, the following downward movement of the well pipe and mandrel 15 will cause the nose portion 39 of the wedge slips 26 to return to latching engagement with the groove 38. It also should be noted at this point that the frictional resistance to downward movement of the operating assembly 21 as caused by the bows 24 is overcome and movement of the assembly is caused by this interengagement of the wedge slips 26 and groove 38 of ring 20 which, as previously described, is secured to mandrel 15 whereby this running-in force is carried directly by the mandrel rather than collar 19. In the running-in condition of the hanger 10 the actuating ring 30 is inoperative and merely rests upon the upper collar 22, as shown in FIG. 1, or slightly thereabove but without the upper end of the ring being beyond the projections 28 on spring fingers 27.

When the well pipe or liner suspended from the hanger 10 reaches approximately the desired location in the well, as determined in the conventional manner by measuring the running string, the well pipe is lowered at least a few feet there beyond in preparation for operating the hanger. The well pipe is then raised a substantial distance of at least 2 or 3 feet and, as shown in FIG. 2, this causes the mandrel to slip upwardly through the operating assembly 21 due to such assembly being frictionally supported by the encircling casing through the engagement of bows 24. In this upward movement of mandrel 15 the actuating ring will tend to remain in its same position on the mandrel but the projections 28 on the spring fingers 27 will engage the actuating ring 30, as shown in FIG. 6, and cause the actuating ring to be carried downward with the operating assembly 21 relative to the upward movement of the mandrel 15. If the frictional resistance to the sliding movement of the actuating ring 30 on cylindrical surface 16 is excessive it is possible that the spring fingers 27 may slip onto the serrated surface 31 of the ring 30 as shown in FIG. 7 and the increased force in this interengagement is normally adequate to overcome such frictional resistance thereby continuing to pull the actuating ring 30 along with the operating assembly 21. As the operating assembly 21 nears the bottom of its travel along cylindrical surface 16, downward movement of actuating ring 30 is arrested by engagement of pin 34 with the lower abutment or terminus 37 of groove 35. Further downward relative movement of the balance of operating assembly 21 causes the wedge slips 26 to be cammed onto the serrated surface 31 of ring 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. Upon reaching this position in the downward travel with ring 30 being arrested and the wedge slips resting upon the ring, the further relative downward movement of the operating assembly 21 is arrested by lower collar 23 engaging the guide fins 17 as shown in FIG. 2.

With the hanger in this condition, it and the well pipe may be raised to any desired level in the well and for precise placement of the hanger the well pipe is raised above the ultimate desired location by distance equal to the distance from the wedge slips 26 to the frustoconical surface 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Lowering of the well pipe and mandrel 15 from the condition shown in FIG. 2 causes the mandrel to pass downwardly through the operating assembly 21 and since the wedge slips are supported outwardly from the cylindrical surface 16 their nose portions 39 will pass over the groove 38 and ring 19 onto the frustoconical surface 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The inner surface of each wedge slip 26 is shaped to mate in surface-to-surface contact with the frustoconical surface 18. 1

The upward limitation of travel actuating ring 30 as caused by engagement of pin 34 with the upper abutment or terminus 36 of groove 35 is such as to support the wedge slips 26 in their expanded condition as shown in FIG. 8 until the nose portions 39 have passed substantially beyond the groove 38- but at that point the travel of actuating ring 30 is arrested. Thus further downward travel of the mandrel 15 causes outward expanding movement of the wedge slips 26 by reason of the interengagement of the slips with the frustoconical surface 18 until the slips reach casing-engaging relationship. Such downward movement of the mandrel 15 also carries the actuating ring 30 downwardly to a position below the projections 28 of the spring fingers 27 as shown in FIG. 4. If at this point it is determined that the hanger is not set at the desired depth in the well, the well pipe may merely be lifted thereby causing the mandrel 15 to pass upwardly through the operating assembly 21 with the fingers 27 pulling the actuating ring 30 along the mandrel whereupon the wedge slips 26 will be resiliently urged inwardly back into engagement with the cylindrical surface 16. The resumption of downward travel of the well pipe and hanger will result in the components again assuming the running-in condition shown in FIG. 1. The well pipe and hanger may then be raised or lowered to any desired location and the aforedescribed steps repeated to set the hanger in the new location and this may be repeated as often as desired.

As illustrated in the drawings the device of this invention includes a packer section 11 and this is operated merely by imposing substantial downward force on the hanger after the wedge slips 26 have been expanded to casing-engaging relationship. Referring particularly to FIG. 5 the mandrel 15 is threadedly connected at its upper end to a collar 40 and it is preferred that unthreading or other relative movement therebetween be prohibited by welding or a lock pin 41. A conventional packing element 42 of rubber or lead encircles the mandrel l5 and is positioned immediately below the collar 40. The previously described sleeve 19 engages the lower end of the packer element 42. The sleeve 19 is slidably mounted on mandrel 15 but is held in its normal running condition by a shear pin 43 which is shown in the sheared condition in FIG. 5. Once the wedge slips 26 have established firm engagement with the casing 44, the further downward force on collar 40 and mandrel 15 must be transferred through the shear pin 43 to the sleeve 19 and in turn to the wedge slips 26 and casing 44. Therefore, when the proper packer-setting level of force is developed the pin 43 will shear to allow downward travel of mandrel 15 relative to sleeve 19 thereby longitudinally squeezing the packing element 42 to expand same into sealing engagement with the casing 44. Of course thereafter the weight of the liner suspended from the hanger continually urges the sealing element 42 into its expanded condition.

Following the aforedescribed setting of the hanger 10 and the packing section 11, the running string of pipe may be removed for allowing further operations in the well by disconnecting the setting tool 13 from the hanger. The setting tool 13 has a bushing 45 with an external left-handed thread for threadedly engaging the internal left-handed threads 46 on the collar 40. It is preferred that the setting tool 13 includes a drive mandrel 47 on noncircular cross section, such as hexagonal, adapted to slidably fit a like cross section in bushing 45 whereby right-hand rotation of the well pipe at the surface of the well will not only cause unthreading between bushing 45 and collar 40 but also allow free upward reel of bushing 45 uninhibited by the weight of the well pipe thereabove. This also precludes the necessity of attempting to relieve the weight from the setting tool for such unthreading which might inadvertently result in also lifting and unsetting the hanger.

From the foregoing it may be seen that a well pipe hanger is provided which may be operated solely by reciprocal movement of uncritical distances and without any delicate manipulation. Moreover the hanger may be repeatedly set and released at various locations as may be desired by the operator. Furthermore a minimum of overlapping components and elements are required whereby the radial thickness of the hanger is kept to an absolute minimum for application to situations where the annular space between the well pipe and the encircling casing is very restricted. It is also to be noted that the function of each element of the hanger of this invention is completely independent of vertical or horizontal orientation of the device and therefore the hanger is equally reliable in highly deviated well bores as in vertical well bores. While I have described my invention in connection with a specific embodiment of a well pipe hanger including a packing section and have described the specific construction and number of components thereof it is to be understood that my invention is not limited thereto but it is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means comprising a downwardly facing groove on said mandrel and a nose portion on said wedge slips for engaging said groove for normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger.

2. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein each of said wedge slips is mounted on said operating assembly by a longitudinally extending spring strap continuously urging said wedge slip inwardly and resiliently allowing said outward casing engaging movement.

3. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes an element longitudinally movable relative to the balance of said operating assembly, said element having means in engagement with said mandrel for limiting the longitudinal movement of said element to a distance less than said balance of the operating assembly for said upward and downward mandrel movement to cause said actuation and deactuation, respectively, of said disabling means.

4. The well pipe hanger of claim 3 wherein said operating means includes means for restricting the amount of said relative longitudinal movement of said element.

5. The well pipe hanger of claim 3 wherein said element is an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and having an inwardly extending pin, said mandrel having a longitudinal groove of predetermined length, and said pin engaging said longitudinal groove.

6. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said operating assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced collars slidably mounted on said mandrel and plural outwardly bowed springs extending between and mounted on said collars for comprising said casing-contacting means, and plural spring straps mounted on the upper of said pair of collars and extending longitudinally upwardly with said wedge slips mounted on said straps.

7. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movably between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said disabling of said interengaging means to a second position out of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated conditron.

8. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein a packer section is provided near the upper end and comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on said mandrel and having said frustoconical surface thereon, an annular packing element positioned above said sleeve and encircling said mandrel, and a collar fixedly mounted on said mandrel above said packing element for downward movement of said mandrel and collar relative to said sleeve for causing longitudinal squeezing and radial expanding of said packing element.

9. The well pipe hanger of claim 8 wherein frangible means connect said mandrel to said sleeve.

10. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an external surface of regular cross section for a substantial length, said mandrel having an upper end with a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for iongitudinal movement on said regular external surface, casingcontacting means on said assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips extending upwardly, said wedge slips having interior surfaces for mating engagement with said frustoconical surface and on outer surface for nonslip engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further downward movement of said well pipe hanger, said disabling means including an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movable between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said dis abling of said interengaging means to a second position out of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated condition.

1 l. The well pipe hanger of claim 10 wherein said ring has a serrated outer surface and a plurality of radial apertures therethrough, and said wedge slips each have a serrated inner surface for engaging said ring serrated surface.

12. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an upper end for releaseably connecting to a running pipe string and a lower end for connecting to the liner, said mandrel having a cylindrical external surface of substantial length, said mandrel having a frustoconical external surface near the said upper end and extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, cage means slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface and having means for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps mounted on said cage means and extending longitudinally upward, a wedge slip mounted on the extending upper end of each said spring strap and being resiliently urged inwardly into engagement with said mandrel, an actuating ring slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface of said mandrel above said cage means with said upwardly extending spring straps overlying said actuating ring, means restricting the distance of longitudinal movement of said ring relative to said cage means, a longitudinally extending groove of predetermined length in said mandrel on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having an internal pin projecting into said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring, and a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving the upper end of each wedge slip to normally prevent upward and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled downwardly by said cage means upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches the lower limit of its travel for said wedge slips to be carnmed onto said actuating ring to outwardly expand said wedge slip spring straps and then downward mandrel movement causing said wedge slips to pass over said circumferential groove and onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing.

13. The liner hanger of claim 12 wherein said means restricting the ring movement comprises plural spring fingers extending upwardly from said cage means and overlying said ring, and means on said spring fingers for engaging said ring.

14. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an upper end for releaseably connecting to a running pipe string and a lower end for connecting to the liner, said mandrel having a cylindrical external surface of substantial length, said mandrel having a frustoconical external surface near the said upper end and extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, upper and lower collars slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface, plurality of outwardly bowed springs extending between and mounted on said collars in circumferentially spaced relationship for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps mounted on said upper collar and extending longitudinally upward, a plurality of wedge slips each having a smooth inner surface for mating with said frustoconical surface and a toothed exterior surface for nonslip engagement with the casing, each said wedge slip mounted on the extending upper end of said spring strap and being resiliently urged inwardly into engagement with said mandrel, a plurality of spring fingers mounted on said upper collar and extending longitudinally upwardly, an actuating ring slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface of said mandrel and positioned above said upper collar with said upwardly extending spring straps and fingers overlying said actuating ring, a longitudinally extending groove of predetermined length in said mandrel on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having an internal pin projecting into said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring between upper and lower limit positions, said actuating ring having a serrated outer surface, each said spring finger having a inwardly protruding end portion tapered both upwardly and downwardly for frictionally but slidably engaging said actuating ring serrated surface, said wedge slips having a lower interior serrated portion for engaging said actuating ring serrated surface, a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving the upper end of each wedge slip to normally prevent upwardly and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled d ownwardly by said fingers upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches said lower limit position for said finger end portions and said wedge slip serrated portions to move onto said actuating ring serrated portion to outwardly expand said wedge slip spring straps and then downward mandrel movement causing said wedge slips to pass over said circumferential groove and onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing, said actuating ring reaching its upper limit position subsequent to the upper en (1 of the wedge slips passing over said circumferential groove and before complete setting travel of said slips for said wedge slips to expand out of engagement with said ring and said finger portion to ride upwardly beyond and out of engagement with said ring whereby subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel causes said wedge slips to return to the position for engaging the circumferential groove for still further downward travel of the hanger.

15. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger, said disabling means comprising a longitudinal groove in said mandrel and an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel with said ring having an inwardly extending pin engaging said longitudinal groove for limiting the longitudinal movement of said ring to a distance less than the longitudinal movement of the balance of said operating assembly for said upward and downward mandrel movement to cause said actuation and deactuation, respectively, of said disabling means.

16. In a well pipe hanger for releaseably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger, said disabling means including an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movable between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said disabling of said interengaging means to a second position out of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated condition.

17. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a cylindrical external surface with a frustoconical external surface extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, cage means slidably fitting on said cylindrical surface and having means for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps on said cage means extending longitudinally upward and having wedge slips mounted on the upper end, an actuating ring slidably fitting on said cylindrical surface of said mandrel longitudinally above said cage means with said upwardly extending spring straps overlying said actuating ring, means restricting the distance of longitudinal movement of said ring relative to said cage means, a groove of predetermined length on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having means engaging said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring, and a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving interengaging means on the upper end of said cage means to normally limit upward movement of said cage means and prevent upward and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled downwardly by said cage means upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches the lower limit of its travel for outwardly expanding said interengaging means and then downward mandrel movement causing said interengaging means to pass over said circumferential groove and said wedge slips to pass onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing. 

1. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means comprising a downwardly facing groove on said mandrel and a nose portion on said wedge slips for engaging said groove for normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger.
 2. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein each of said wedge slips is mounted on said operating assembly by a longitudinally extending spring strap continuously urging said wedge slip inwardly and resiliently allowing said outward casing engaging movement.
 3. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes an element longituDinally movable relative to the balance of said operating assembly, said element having means in engagement with said mandrel for limiting the longitudinal movement of said element to a distance less than said balance of the operating assembly for said upward and downward mandrel movement to cause said actuation and deactuation, respectively, of said disabling means.
 4. The well pipe hanger of claim 3 wherein said operating means includes means for restricting the amount of said relative longitudinal movement of said element.
 5. The well pipe hanger of claim 3 wherein said element is an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and having an inwardly extending pin, said mandrel having a longitudinal groove of predetermined length, and said pin engaging said longitudinal groove.
 6. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said operating assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced collars slidably mounted on said mandrel and plural outwardly bowed springs extending between and mounted on said collars for comprising said casing-contacting means, and plural spring straps mounted on the upper of said pair of collars and extending longitudinally upwardly with said wedge slips mounted on said straps.
 7. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein said disabling means includes an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movable between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said disabling of said interengaging means to a second position out of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated condition.
 8. The well pipe hanger of claim 1 wherein a packer section is provided near the upper end and comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on said mandrel and having said frustoconical surface thereon, an annular packing element positioned above said sleeve and encircling said mandrel, and a collar fixedly mounted on said mandrel above said packing element for downward movement of said mandrel and collar relative to said sleeve for causing longitudinal squeezing and radial expanding of said packing element.
 9. The well pipe hanger of claim 8 wherein frangible means connect said mandrel to said sleeve.
 10. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an external surface of regular cross section for a substantial length, said mandrel having an upper end with a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement on said regular external surface, casing-contacting means on said assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips extending upwardly, said wedge slips having interior surfaces for mating engagement with said frustoconical surface and on outer surface for nonslip engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further downward movement of said well pipe hanger, said disabling means including an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movable between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said disabling of said interengaging means to a second position oUt of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated condition.
 11. The well pipe hanger of claim 10 wherein said ring has a serrated outer surface and a plurality of radial apertures therethrough, and said wedge slips each have a serrated inner surface for engaging said ring serrated surface.
 12. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an upper end for releaseably connecting to a running pipe string and a lower end for connecting to the liner, said mandrel having a cylindrical external surface of substantial length, said mandrel having a frustoconical external surface near the said upper end and extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, cage means slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface and having means for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps mounted on said cage means and extending longitudinally upward, a wedge slip mounted on the extending upper end of each said spring strap and being resiliently urged inwardly into engagement with said mandrel, an actuating ring slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface of said mandrel above said cage means with said upwardly extending spring straps overlying said actuating ring, means restricting the distance of longitudinal movement of said ring relative to said cage means, a longitudinally extending groove of predetermined length in said mandrel on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having an internal pin projecting into said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring, and a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving the upper end of each wedge slip to normally prevent upward and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled downwardly by said cage means upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches the lower limit of its travel for said wedge slips to be cammed onto said actuating ring to outwardly expand said wedge slip spring straps and then downward mandrel movement causing said wedge slips to pass over said circumferential groove and onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing.
 13. The liner hanger of claim 12 wherein said means restricting the ring movement comprises plural spring fingers extending upwardly from said cage means and overlying said ring, and means on said spring fingers for engaging said ring.
 14. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having an upper end for releaseably connecting to a running pipe string and a lower end for connecting to the liner, said mandrel having a cylindrical external surface of substantial length, said mandrel having a frustoconical external surface near the said upper end and extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, upper and lower collars slidably mounted on said cylindrical surface, a plurality of outwardly bowed springs extending between and mounted on said collars in circumferentially spaced relationship for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps mounted on said upper collar and extending longitudinally upward, a plurality of wedge slips each having a smooth inner surface for mating with said frustoconical surface and a toothed exterior surface for nonslip engagement with the casing, each said wedge slip mounted on the extending upper end of said spring strap and being resiliently urged inwardly into engagement with said mandrel, a plurality of spring fingers mounted on said upper collar and extending longitudinally upwardly, an actuating ring slidably mounted on said cylindrical sUrface of said mandrel and positioned above said upper collar with said upwardly extending spring straps and fingers overlying said actuating ring, a longitudinally extending groove of predetermined length in said mandrel on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having an internal pin projecting into said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring between upper and lower limit positions, said actuating ring having a serrated outer surface, each said spring finger having a inwardly protruding end portion tapered both upwardly and downwardly for frictionally but slidably engaging said actuating ring serrated surface, said wedge slips having a lower interior serrated portion for engaging said actuating ring serrated surface, a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving the upper end of each wedge slip to normally prevent upwardly and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled downwardly by said fingers upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches said lower limit position for said finger end portions and said wedge slip serrated portions to move onto said actuating ring serrated portion to outwardly expand said wedge slip spring straps and then downward mandrel movement causing said wedge slips to pass over said circumferential groove and onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing, said actuating ring reaching its upper limit position subsequent to the upper end of the wedge slips passing over said circumferential groove and before complete setting travel of said slips for said wedge slips to expand out of engagement with said ring and said finger portion to ride upwardly beyond and out of engagement with said ring whereby subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel causes said wedge slips to return to the position for engaging the circumferential groove for still further downward travel of the hanger.
 15. In a well pipe hanger for releasably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger, said disabling means comprising a longitudinal groove in said mandrel and an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel with said ring having an inwardly extending pin engaging said longitudinal groove for limiting the longitudinal movement of said ring to a distance less than the longitudinal movement of the balance of said operating assembly for said upward and downward mandrel movement to cause said actuation and deactuation, respectively, of said disabling means.
 16. In a well pipe hanger for releaseably hanging a pipe in a well casing, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a frustoconical external surface extending upwardly and outwardly, an operating assembly slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal movement, casing-contacting means on said operating assembly for causing said longitudinal movement upon relative movement between said mandrel and the casing, said operating assembly having a plurality of wedge slips positioned for engagement with said frustoconical surface and outward movement into engagement with the casing, interengaging means on said mandrel and operating assembly normally preventing upward movement of said wedge slips on said frustoconical surface, said operating assembly having means actuated by substantial upward movement of said mandrel relative to said assembly for disabling said interengaging means and causing said wedge slips to move into engagement with said frustoconical surface upon downward movement of said mandrel to thereby set said wedge slips into engagement with casing for hanging the well pipe, and said disabling means being deactuated by said setting movement of said wedge slips for subsequent limited upward movement of said mandrel to cause release of said wedge slips and reengagement of said interengaging means for allowing further travel of said hanger, said disabling means including an annular ring slidably mounted on said mandrel and movable between a first position underlying said wedge slips to urge said wedge slips outwardly for said disabling of said interengaging means to a second position out of engagement with said wedge slips as said deactuated condition.
 17. In a liner hanger for repeated selective hanging and releasing of a liner pipe in a well casing positioned at any angle to the vertical, the combination of; a tubular mandrel having a cylindrical external surface with a frustoconical external surface extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface, cage means slidably fitting on said cylindrical surface and having means for frictionally engaging the well casing, a plurality of spring straps on said cage means extending longitudinally upward and having wedge slips mounted on the upper end, an actuating ring slidably fitting on said cylindrical surface of said mandrel longitudinally above said cage means with said upwardly extending spring straps overlying said actuating ring, means restricting the distance of longitudinal movement of said ring relative to said cage means, a groove of predetermined length on said cylindrical surface, said actuating ring having means engaging said groove for limiting the longitudinal travel of said actuating ring, and a downwardly facing circumferential groove in said mandrel at the upper extremity of said cylindrical surface for receiving interengaging means on the upper end of said cage means to normally limit upward movement of said cage means and prevent upward and outward movement of said slips upon normal downward movement of said mandrel, said actuating ring being pulled downwardly by said cage means upon upward movement of said mandrel until said actuating ring reaches the lower limit of its travel for outwardly expanding said interengaging means and then downward mandrel movement causing said interengaging means to pass over said circumferential groove and said wedge slips to pass onto said frustoconical surface for expanding into setting engagement with the casing. 